Picking the Best Kitchen Renovator: Effective Tips

The function of a kitchen in a home needs no special mention as we all know about it. And at the same time, it is also difficult for us to imagine a home without a kitchen.

But, the sad part is that a kitchen undergoes wear and tear. And, stuff, like oil and grease, make it dirty. So therefore, the need for renovating your kitchen can come up.

After you renovate your kitchen, you will see new life and vibrancy in your kitchen. At the same time, the remodelling can boost the entire structure of your home.

Again, a kitchen renovation is not a straightforward affair. Instead, it is a complex task.

However, you will reap many benefits from the innovation apart from your house getting an improved appearance.

But, you will get good kitchen remodelling only when you hire a competent remodelling contractor. Remember, any failure to choose a skilled contractor will lead to a poor kitchen renovation, and that is something you do not want.

How to Choose a Kitchen Remodelling Contractor?

Ensure that you do not deploy a kitchen remodelling contractor in a hurry. Instead, spend some time choosing the right one for your kitchen job.

Therefore, you should actuate prudent steps in hiring a contractor.

The vital thing to do is that assess a few contractors before choosing one. And, do not select the first contractor you get in touch with. If you do so, you might end up hiring the wrong contractor for your kitchen renovating job. It can prove to be a costly mistake and bring significant problems down the road.

Therefore, assess as many prospective contractors as you can before finalizing one. You should check their project portfolios, request references, and examine their competencies.

To avoid hiring the wrong contractor, you should proceed through the following sequential steps:

• Compile a list of probable kitchen remodelling contractors
• Check their portfolios
• Speak with the references
• Visit finished projects, if possible
• Compare their charges

Now, let us understand how to actuate each of the steps.

#1. Compiling a List of Probable Kitchen Remodelling Contractors

Doing groundwork in compiling a list of probable kitchen renovators is the first thing. Then, as the first move, you should list around ten local kitchen remodelling contractors.

It is a good idea to hire a local contractor because they will be familiar with the local codes in your area.

Usually, good contractors display their work on their websites or Facebook pages. Moreover, they have good ratings on popular referral platforms, such as Yelp, Google My Business, etc.

The good sources of finding contractors are:

Friends or People You Know

You can ask your friends or neighbours for recommendations. And, it could be an excellent idea to ask anyone who got their kitchen remodelled recently about a good contractor.

Usually, good contractors get many contracts, and their names spread among people due to their quality of work. So, most people generally know such contractors.

In addition, you can search for kitchen contractors on Google. You can consider the top five contractors on the search result page as a thumb rule. Subsequently, you can refer to Google My Business, Yelp, or Facebook to find the contractors’ online reputation.

You should not hire a contractor who does not have a portfolio of past work or does not have good recommendations.

#2. Examine their Portfolios

Next, you need to examine the portfolios of your prospective contractors. Usually, good contractors display their work on their websites.

Selecting a contractor who has completed at least ten kitchens is good. Moreover, you can also ask your prospective contractor to take you to an ongoing project. It will help you figure out how the contractor approaches a project.

You should ensure that your project is not the first one for your prospective contractor. Remember, kitchen renovations are not only expensive but also complicated projects. So, only a competent and experienced contractor can successfully execute a kitchen renovation project.

You should avoid hiring a contractor who has listed only a few projects on his website. Moreover, if you find anything fishy while looking at the pictures, take the contractor off your list.

#3. Speak With References

Now, you should check the references. So, ask your prospective contractor to send you an email with a list of at least five references with name, address, telephone number, and date of completion.

After you receive the email, contact the references. When you speak with the references, clarify whether:

• The remodelling was satisfactory
• The completion schedule was maintained
• The problems were solved properly
• The contractor was punctual
• The contractor completed the project within budget
• He would recommend the contractor to someone else

If your communication with the references elicits a positive impression, you can consider the contractor for your project. If not, drop the contractor off your list.

#4. Visit Completed Kitchen Projects

After checking the references, you might see the number of prospective contractors coming down to two or three.

You can now make an effort to see the quality of their work. But, choose kitchens that are similar to your kitchen in design. Do not fail to ask the homeowners whether they liked the contractor’s work during your visit.

You should not hire the contractor if you observe:

• Poor quality work
• Use of substandard materials
• The improper flow between the stove, refrigerator, cabinetry, and sink
• Inferior lighting
• Inadequate storage space
• Bad tile work
• Rough transitions between surfaces
• Flooring issues

#5.Assess Charges

Finally, ask for bids from the contractors you consider the best fit for your kitchen renovation project.

The contractors will give you a detailed proposal and an estimated cost to complete the project.

But, you should refrain from selecting a contractor with the lowest bid. Instead, choose a contractor that can execute your project satisfactorily and within your budget.

You should avoid hiring a sub-standard contractor as that can be detrimental to your project.

Once you finalize and select a contractor, he will draft a contract stating the timeline, materials, appliances, and labour needed to execute the project. After you sign the contract, you agree to a payment schedule.

However, you should reject the contractor who tries to convince you that his prices are accurate and best.

Obtaining a Kitchen Renovation Permit

Before renovating your kitchen, you should obtain a building permit from the municipality. In Canada, getting a permit is necessary before carrying out any renovation or construction of any property.

The permit ensures that your plan complies with the relevant laws and your construction is not harmful to the environment.

However, there are hefty penalties if you fail to obtain the permit and carry out your project without it. Moreover, the relevant officials will also demolish the construction you make without the permit. In that case, you will see wastage of money.

Conclusion

Kitchen renovation entails significant money expenditure, and it adds considerable value to your entire home. But, you should ensure that you select a good renovator to execute your project. And, failure to do so will entail wastage of your money and will be detrimental to your project.